Recreational Facilities

Earswick has a variety of recreational facilities for the enjoyment of all members of the village community. Much of the equipment has been provided by public grants or private donations but all is managed and maintained by the Parish Council. All the facilities are inspected annually in order to obtain a RoSPA certificate, which enables the Parish Council to obtain Public Liability Insurance, and each year the certificate is issued with little or no work required. The Parish Council regularly reviews the facilities available and will add to the facilities in order to meet the changing needs of the community where funds are available.

Children’s play area

This is located behind the Village Hall on Earswick Chase and is designed to meet the needs of under 9 year olds, although the recent addition of swings means that older children (up to about 12 years) now have somewhere to pass the time. Then installation of the new swings meant it was necessary to remove the ‘Nodding Donkey’, but it is intended that this will be replaced in the near future with something more interesting and challenging to younger people.

The Village Shelter

This is located between the children’s play area and the Tennis Courts and was provided as a safe place for young people to gather. It seats about 8 people and can be used in all weathers.

Tennis Courts

The village has two tennis courts which are extremely popular during the spring and summer. In order to assist with the maintenance and upkeep of the courts, a charge of £15 per annum (or part of) from April is made per household. This enables unlimited access for all the members of the family. Please follow the link to the Tennis Court Membership application form for more information on how to join. At present, membership is only open to residents of Earswick. During the summer, tennis coaching sessions are arranged for anyone wanting to improve their tennis skills.

Application form

Football pitch

Located at the end of Lock House Lane (beyond the car park) is an expanse of land which has been set aside for a five-a-side football pitch. The new goals and nets were provided from funds obtained from the Strensall Ward Committee. The application for funding was submitted by young people from the village. The football pitch is very popular as can be evidenced by the rather worn grass!

Exercise Equipment

Beyond the football pitch there are a number of pieces of exercise equipment such as climbing frames, basket ball nets etc which are suitable for the older children.

BMX Track

This is a very popular facility in the village which is used by children of all ages. The BMX track was established at the request of local young people and was initially designed and constructed by the young people with the assistance of Persimmons, who provided the diggers to provide the ramps and mounds. Over the years, the track, which is about 100m long, has evolved into what it is today. In order to ensure the safety of the users, the Parish Council have in place a maintenance contract to ensure that the track doesn’t become overgrown with trees and undergrowth, and also make regular inspections to make sure the jumps and ramps don’t become dangerous.

Scented Garden

This is the most recent addition to the recreational facilities in the village and can be accessed from the Villager Hall car park. The garden has been created out of the old redundant Bowling Green by a committee of residents from around the village who wanted to create a garden which can be enjoyed by all members of the community. The garden has become a meeting place, or somewhere to relax and enjoy the well stocked flower beds and aromas. The garden is wheelchair accessible and has been designed particularly to appeal to the partially sighted. The garden is arguably at its best on a warm summer evening when it is possible to sit and watch the dramatic sunsets over to the west, beyond the River Foss. A mark of the achievement of the committee this summer was the award of a Silver Gilt award in the York in Bloom competition.

For the future

The Parish Council has been awarded a grant to replace the ‘Nodding Donkey’ in the children’s pay area and will shortly be deciding what the replacement will be, and where this will be positioned.

The Parish Council has also applied for funding to provide exercise equipment for the older members of the community. This will be free standing pieces of gym equipment which are specifically designed to be hardwearing and to remain outdoors in all weathers. This is a longer term project and so is unlikely to be completed until before next summer.